Manu Parekh

Manu Parekh, who was born in Gujarat in 1939, graduated in 1962 with a diploma in drawing and painting from the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai. In his early work, Parekh examined the connections between nature and humans because, in his opinion, these connections were vital and should be honoured. The artist also notes that, regardless of the subject or genre of his works, inconsistencies have always been at the core of his creative process. Manu Parekh has always been fascinated by polemics; intangible aspects of his works include the energy of the organic form and the innate sexuality inside these shapes. His paintings’ subjects’ conveyed emotion, suffering, and agony compel viewers to pay attention to the world around them. His forms and colours radiate an explosive energy that he is unable to control inside the boundaries of his canvas, and they end up being an extension of his personality. Parekh’s use of vivid colours and strong lines is essential to his artwork since they both convey the intensity that the artist is trying to convey. Parekh acknowledges that his environment has a huge influence on him. For example, his time in Calcutta brought him close to Santiniketan and the ancient Indian artists Ram Kinkar Baij and Rabindranath Tagore. His admiration for their work, which was more perceptual than stylistic, encouraged him to explore the ideas that underpin his own body of work. After his first visit to the city after his father’s death, Parekh’s work became heavily influenced by Banaras. This holy city of religion, hope, and tourists presented him with a great deal of contrasts all in one place. In addition, Parekh credits his adoration for Picasso and his bond with his self-taught artist wife Madhvi as major influences on his artwork. Following his 1968 solo show of paintings and graphics in Ahmedabad, Parekh has not looked back. The artist’s most recent solo exhibitions include “Banaras – Eternity Watches Time,” which was shown at the Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai in 2007; “Banaras” at the Vadehra Art Gallery in New Delhi in 2004; “Portraits of Flower and Landscapes of River” at the Jehangir Art Gallery and Tao Art Gallery in Mumbai in 2003; “Ritual Oblations” at the Rabindra Bhavan in New Delhi, Sakshi Gallery in Bangalore, Sakshi Gallery and Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 1999; and “Small Drawings” at Sophia Duchesne Art Gallery in Mumbai in 1991. Additionally, Parekh has held solo exhibitions at London’s ARKS Gallery and New York’s BosePacia Modern. Parekh received the Padma Shree from the Indian government in 1992, the National Award from the Lalit Kala Akademi in New Delhi in 1982, the President of India’s Silver Plaque, and the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society Award in New Delhi in 1972. In New Delhi, the artist resides and works.